Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 180°C and set butter out to soften as you combine dry ingredients for the cake. As always, sifting is best here to keep a light and airy cake. A whisk can be used in a pinch though.

Step 2

Whisk applesauce, eggs, and sugar together in a separate bowl, or in mixer. Add vanilla to mix once fully combined and stir to fully incorporate.

Step 3

Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Blend an additional 2 minutes on high, but do not over mix (that will give you dry overly dense cake).

Step 4

Pour cupcake mix into lined baking tins. ( Only about 2/3 to 3/4 full. Overfilling will cause cupcakes that are too top-heavy) .

Step 5

Bake at 180°C for 15-20 minutes. Watch the tops to crack open slightly.

Step 6

Combine boxed pudding and milk as per box directions as cupcakes are baking. Cool cupcakes 10 minutes then remove from pan. Cool another 5-10 minutes before filling each with pudding mixture using a filling tip.

Step 8

Ice the cupcakes as desired and sprinkle with cookie crumbs for "loose dirt" effect. Cut each of the gummy worms in half and decorate cupcakes as desired with worms. If you run into trouble getting worms to stick, put cupcakes in freezer or fridge to help set up icing a little.